Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Nora Murphy's Ours Is a Tale of Murder isn't just a novel; it's a meticulously crafted clockwork of suspense, each cog a character, each spring a secret, all winding towards an explosive revelation. From the outset, Murphy establishes a mood as thick and oppressive as a fog rolling in off the moors, drawing the reader into the claustrophobic world of the Blackwood estate, where old money, older grudges, and a fresh corpse have converged.

Murphy masterfully employs a multi-perspectival narrative, allowing us glimpses into the minds of those entangled in the Blackwood web. This isn't simply a device to move the plot forward; it's a deliberate act of misdirection, a clever sleight of hand that keeps you guessing about motivations and allegiances. Just when you think you have a character pegged, Murphy peels back another layer, revealing a complexity that is both unsettling and utterly human. The pacing is a slow, simmering burn, a testament to Murphy's confidence in her ability to build tension without resorting to cheap thrills. The true horror lies not in gore or jump scares, but in the insidious creep of suspicion and the chilling realization that every character holds a piece of a truly sinister puzzle.

What sets Ours Is a Tale of Murder apart is its refusal to adhere to conventional whodunit tropes. While there is a central mystery—the titular murder—the journey to its resolution is less about deductive reasoning and more about psychological excavation. The Blackwood family itself feels like a character, a decaying institution haunted by its past, its members bound by a toxic mix of loyalty and resentment. The prose is elegant and precise, with a keen eye for detail that paints vivid pictures of both the crumbling estate and the equally crumbling psyches of its inhabitants. Murphy doesn't just tell you what's happening; she makes you feel the cold breath of fear, the prickle of paranoia, the heavy weight of unspoken truths.

However, readers seeking a neat, easily solvable mystery might find themselves challenged. Murphy delights in ambiguity, in the shadows between facts, and in the unsettling notion that some answers are more disturbing than the questions they resolve. The ending, while delivering a satisfying sense of closure, also leaves a lingering unease, a testament to the novel's profound psychological depth.

Ours Is a Tale of Murder is a chilling and expertly woven tapestry of deceit, obsession, and the corrosive power of secrets. It’s a book that demands your attention, rewards your patience, and lingers in your mind long after the final page is turned. Nora Murphy has not just written a murder mystery; she has crafted a dark and captivating character study, a tale that proves some narratives are best told in the unsettling whispers of the past. Highly recommended for those who appreciate literary suspense that delves deep into the human psyche.

𝑶𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆. 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑶𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕.

This twisted tale had me in an absolute choke hold until I finished it. All the publishers are touting new thrillers with taglines like, "an unbelievable twist you'll never see it coming" and those are usually eye-rolling, but in this case, it's 100% true. It's the kind of book that you immediately want to start again when you get to that ending. Your flabbers will be gasted.

In a quiet neighborhood, three families exist separately, only tangentially connected by proximity. Klara never wanted the domestic life, but found herself led here by her new husband Troy. She feels trapped, isolated, but she duly follows conventions and allows herself to lose the solo home and career she built. Troy is so good to her, so she won't let herself think of the smooth way he insinuated himself into her life.

Mary, a retired teacher, is cleaning out her son's old room before she sells her home. She can't afford to keep it up, and the neighbors don't want her there anyway. She's tormented by the 'what-ifs' but consoles herself with the knowledge that she loved her golden boy more than life itself.

Finally, there is Henry next door, who has acquired a long list of all the women he yearns for who don't want a thing to do with him. Due to troubling behavior at work, he's been let go from his job and is living in his parents' basement. He's become quite interested in watching the neighbors, especially the wives. He senses that his help is needed, and Henry is always eager to assist.

Lots of things stand out about this book, but no one captures the essence of motherhood quite like this author. Mary's story in particular will just gut you in places. The wounds she carries are deep and life-changing, and her moments of reminiscing about her son's younger years made me unexpectedly emotional. Klara's story too will get under your skin in a different way--be prepared as you may see a version of yourself in her. And Henry. One of his mother's memories of him made me gasp out loud.

When these stories converge, it is absolutely shocking to see the level of detail and precision that went into creating all the moving parts of this plot and how brilliantly everything came together. I read the ending twice (ok, three times) and then stared off into the distance like an extra in an 80s music video. This book is going to be a smash hit of 2026.

A good mother will always see the best version of her children, flaws and all, but a great mother will have the courage to see what's standing right in front of her. You're not prepared for where this one will lead you. Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the early copy. This one is slated to publish February 10, 2026.